If You Need an Intermission, This Way Please

I made four coupons for anyone in need of a major slowdown, a re-think, and a freaking break!

Two Women by the Shore, by Henri-Edmond Cross.

Dear Beautiful Friends,

I’ve found myself in a bit of an intermission the last few weeks: slowing down, reconsidering my business and creative life, thinking about how I spend time with family, following my instincts, and curiosity, and suspending judgment along the way (the hard part!).

Once upon a time, I’d complain about being unmotivated and lazy, because I’m not moving with the speed of a cheetah, or pouncing on opportunities with the ferocity of a hungry mountain lion.

For the love of the half moon shining at 6 a.m., the sweet-smelling air, and chirp-crazy birds, and for the hundredth time, enough with the hustle! A big meowy Adios to the Big Cat prowl-hustle!

(Except the big cat impromptu prowls at 6:30 am on a Saturday, in the light of the shining half-moon, the sweet-smelling air, and crazy birdsong.) I cashed in one of my coupons!

See Coupon 4, below.

Who else wants, needs, yearns for, doesn’t think they deserve but could really use an Intermission?

I’ve made four Intermission Coupons as prompts to get you started. Like a warmup, an amuse-bouche.

💥COUPON ONE: Slow down, and contemplate the Pause.

I meant to write “doodle” but go ahead and “doddle” too.

💥COUPON TWO: A fine damn cup of coffee, solo or with a pal. A no-purpose coffee, other than to be.

My grandson Caden and me redeeming Coupon #3 (see below).

💥COUPON THREE: Savor the sweetness of life.

Go to a museum; drive a senior to an appointment; buy a book with a beautiful cover; sleep in; watch a movie in the a.m.; seek advice from a tree; skip down the street; dunk a sweet treat into your coffee or tea.

I just bought this book for its cover only. I love to swim, I love long swims in open water, and I am gaga for the work of painter Katherine Bradford, whose exhibit I saw here in Seattle last year, which included the piece “Woman in Water,” the cover of this short story collection.

💥COUPON FOUR: Someone misses you!

If you need more Intermission Coupons, email me and I’ll send you another one. These are reusable, FYI.

What if slowing down, taking a breath, refusing to be constantly in a hurry, productive or hustling is the most radical act you can take in today’s world?

You’re rad, and I love you.

XO